BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for June 26 – July 2

Two-time Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is at the Arts Club

See the Arts Club’s Spelling Bee – June 17-31

How do you spell fun? For some, it’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical comedy by the Arts Club Theatre Company that’s billed as “the funniest thing in seven consonants.” Uplifting and exuberant, this two-time Tony Award-winning show pits six pubescent overachievers against each other in the spelling challenge of a lifetime. And it’s not just the actors who’ll be on the hot seat; the show ups the ante with an interactive element by inviting ambitious audience members to test their spelling mettle onstage. Don’t worry, even chronic spellcheck abusers will relate to this story that celebrates the awkward adolescent in all of us. Catch it from June 17 to July 31 at Granville Island Stage (1585 Johnston St., Vancouver), with further details and tickets at artsclub.com or 604-687-1644.

Get Stoked about the Revelstoke Music Festival – June 25-26
Rock fans are getting stoked about the Revelstoke Music Festival, running June 25 and 26 with over a dozen musicians, including Econoline Crush and the Wassabi Collective, rocking out on two outdoor stages from noon to midnight, along with a beer garden, artisan market and food vendors at a scenic site-cum-campground bordering the Columbia River. For tickets or more info, visit revfest.ca. Prefer your festivities to be free? No problem: check out Music in the Plaza, running nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until August 28 with a wide variety of top local talent in the city’s historic Grizzly Plaza. Call 250-837-5636 or go to https://revelstokecc.bc.ca for more details.

Spot the Impersonators at Penticton’s Elvis Festival – June 25-27

Elvis may have left the building for good back in 1977, but he’ll be alive and well at the Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival from June 25 to 27. This ninth annual celebration salutes the life and music of the hip-swinging singer with top international tribute artists all competing to be crowned “the King.” The winning wannabe will then pocket a pass to the Ultimate Elvis Contest at Graceland in Memphis. And if you thought the superstar singer’s favourite music was rock ’n’ roll, you’re wrong — it’s gospel, which will be featured in a special Sunday Showcase, along with a lineup of celebrity guests who’ll recount their own close encounters with the King. For more info, visit pentictonelvisfestival.com or call 1-877-763-2849 for tickets.


Get Catty at the Garden City Cat Club’s Feline Fair
 – June 26-27
It’s never a good thing to get all catty, unless, of course, you’re talking about a feline fashion show. And on June 26 and 27, you can experience just that courtesy of the Garden City Cat Club, in association with The International Cat Association. Held at Mary Winspear Centre (2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney By the Sea in Greater Victoria), this two-day meow mix showcases championship and household kitties in all their glory, along with a Mad Catter’s Tea Party and a Cake Purrade. What’s more, if you’re in the market for a kitten, you’ll find one here, along with rescue organizations and vendors selling all sorts of cat-approved accessories. Check it out daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and P.S., if you bring a non-perishable donation for the Sidney Lions’ Food Bank, you’ll receive $1 off adult admission.


Go Greek at Kitsilano’s Greek Day Street Party – June 27

Don’t know the difference between tzatziki and tabouleh? How about spanakopita and saganaki? Never mind: you’ll be a quick study at Greek Day in Kitsilano on June 27, where you can party it up with thousands of fellow fun-seekers in a cultural carnival offering a full day of Grecian appreciation. Just follow your nose to the scent of sizzling souvlaki sold on site by street vendors along Vancouver’s West Broadway between MacDonald and Blenheim, which will also be hopping with live music, folk dancing, a kids’ zone, and a free outdoor evening concert. Drop by, rain or shine, from noon to 9 p.m., with more information at greekday.com.

Celebrate Canada Day – July 1

A country as cool as Canada deserves a blowout birthday bash. And on July 1, Canada Day at Canada Place is set to deliver with a family-friendly party featuring loads of food, fun and festivities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along with live music on three stages by the likes of 54-40, Delhi 2 Dublin, Dal Richards and the Destino Tenors, you can also catch a 
7 p.m. parade and a fireworks show starting at 10:30 p.m. For further info, visit canadaday.canadaplace.ca. 
A suggestion for suburbanites? Celebrate Canada’s 134th at Fort Langley, the birthplace of B.C., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a big breakfast followed by barrel races, a tug-of-war competition and your very own slice of birthday cake. Admission is free.

Check out Golden Spike Days in Port Moody
 – July 1-4
Thinking of enjoying a nice, quiet picnic at Rocky Point Park this Canada Day weekend? Good luck. It’s set to be party central for an estimated 45,000 revelers who’ll be beelining it to Port Moody’s favourite green space for the 34th annual Golden Spike Days Festival. The family-friendly fun, running from July 1 to 4, includes live entertainment, international eats and nightly concerts by the likes of Barney Bentall, Wide Mouth Mason and Lee Aaron, among others, plus a July 4 performance by kids’ entertainer Charlotte Diamond. And don’t forget to check out the BMX bike stunts and spike-driving competition, too. For more info, visit goldenspikedays.bc.ca.


See Lego Pirates in Surrey – until August 28

Shiver me timbers! Pint-sized pirates will feel right at home at Surrey Museum (17710 56A Ave.) this summer. That’s because little ones from across the Lower Mainland have been steering their parents to a pirate-themed exhibition created by the Vancouver LEGO Club. If the best you can do with those iconic blocks is build lopsided towers, you’ll be amazed by Pirates! Blocks ’n’ Buccaneers, featuring everything from ships, treasures and battles to weapons, grub and garb. So, if you’ve got a passion for pirates, set sail to Surrey Museum to check it out until August 28. For more information, call 604-592-6956 or visit heritage.surrey.ca.


Visit Granville Island – any day
Hate grocery shopping? Join the club, but the chore won’t feel like such a bore at the Granville Island Farmers Market, one of Vancouver’s top open-air emporiums. From sweet strawberries and ripe raspberries to crisp cucumbers and oversized summer squash, the market’s fresh-picked produce goes from farmhouse to your house in just hours. Green-thumb enthusiasts, health-conscious consumers and savvy shoppers will enjoy all the fresh offerings, along with home-grown plants, hanging baskets and flowers that just may inspire you to create your own backyard oasis. Check it out at a new location in Triangle Square every Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from June to October. For more information, click on granvilleisland.com.

Eat Cupcakes in Fort Langley – daily

Sure, Fort Langley is considered “the birthplace of B.C.,” but there’s another good reason to visit this national historic site these days. It’s also the location of a brand-new Tracycakes Bakery Café (23170 96 Ave.). The award-winning bistro, which has branches in White Rock and Abbotsford, recently expanded its 40-plus cupcake collection to include summer flavours like Creamsicle, S’mores, Pina Colada and Lime Margarita. You’ll be equally impressed by its other made-from-scratch menu offerings, too, including chili, shepherd’s pie, sandwiches and, in our opinion, the world’s best Waldorf salad. Swing by daily from 10 am to 5 p.m., with further information available by calling 604-888-1984 or visiting tracycakesonline.com.


Go White Water Rafting in Chilliwack – this summer
Looking for an aquatic adventure? The Chilliwack River is calling your name. Open year round and only a 90-minute drive from Vancouver, Chilliwack River Rafting Adventures (49704 Chilliwack Lake Road) offers world-class white water excursions for experienced and first-time rafters. Your adrenaline is guaranteed to go into overdrive as you shoot the rapids, spray in your face, as you hang on to that rubber raft for dear life. Sound like fun? For more information, visit chilliwackriverrafting.com or call 1-800-410-7238.

Shop Charitably at the Latest Scoop – now

Attention: retailers, wholesalers and importers. If you’re sitting on unused stock, why let it gather dust in a storeroom when you can donate it instead to Philanthropy by the Latest Scoop (2239 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver)? This unique concept store, dedicated to supporting the local community, will sell your quality goods to the public, with 80 per cent of the gross profits earmarked for the Arts Umbrella and Canucks for Kids Fund, two local charities supporting the needs of children. Do-gooding donaters — as well as savvy shoppers — need to hurry up, though, because the store is open for a limited time only. Drop off your goods from 10 a.m. daily, or just swing by and shop to your heart’s content for hot fashions, décor and much more. For more info, go to philanthropybyscoop.com.

Originally published in TV Week. For daily updates, subscribe to the free TV Week e-newsletter, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.